Tottenham’s Pre-Season Friendlies And Squad For Barclays Asia Trophy

After a week of training and a behind closed doors match, Tottenham’s season starts now with a series of friendlies to prepare the team for the opening match against Crystal Palace on Sunday, 18th August at Selhurst Park.

[Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]

Tottenham’s season officially kicks off on Tuesday evening with the first of two friendly matches against lower league sides. They then travel to Hong Kong for two games in the Barclays Asia Trophy tournament before two friendlies on the two Saturdays prior to the start of the season, one in France and the other at White Hart Lane.

They played a behind closed doors match against Brentford at the training ground weekend and win 3 – 2 with goals from Gareth Bale and two from Jermain Defoe. This was an opportunity to give all players some game time and a  report can be found on the Lilywhite Rose website.

Tuesday, 16th July

Spurs opening match is against Swindon Town at the County Ground. KO:  7pm

Swindon are currently without a manager following the resignation of Kevin MacDonald on Saturday. Swindon have taken three players on loan from Spurs – defender Grant Hall, midfielder Massimo Luongo and winger Alex Pritchard. They have also signed two former Spurs full-backs – Jack Barthram who was released at the beginning of the month and Nathan Byrne whom they signed for a small fee. All of those players will be out to make a point against Spurs on Tuesday evening.

Friday, 19th July

Tottenham travel to play Colchester United at the Community Stadium. KO:  7pm

Wednesday, 24th July

Barclays Asia Trophy  v Sunderland (Hong Kong National Stadium) KO:  11am

Totenham are taking part in the four team tournament in Hong Kong competing for the Barclays Asia Trophy. Spurs will face Sunderland in their opening game and then play either Manchestr City or South China FC in their second game the following Saturday.

Saturday, 27th July

Barclays Asia Trophy  v Manchester City or South China FC (Hong Kong National Stadium) KO:  tba

Tottenham competed in this tournament in 2009 which was held in Beijing playing two games. They defeated West Ham United 1 – 0, and then beat Hull City 3 – 0 in the Final to lift the trophy. In the Final, Robbie Keane scored twice, including a penalty, and Aaron Lennon scored the other goal. That season’s Premier League fixtures saw Spurs play both clubs in the opening three games. They won 5 – 1 at Hull and four days later defeated West Ham 2 – 1 at Upton Park.

 Tottenham Squad

The Tottenham squad travelling to Hong Kong has been released on the Premier League website. It is the full first team squad with the exception of new signing, Paulinho, who has been given extra time off following the Confederations Cup.

Goalkeepers
Hugo Lloris, Brad Friedel, Heurelho Gomes.

Defenders
Kyle Walker, Kyle Naughton, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Jan Vertonghen, Michael Dawson, Steven Caulker, Younes Kaboul, Daniel Rose.

Midfielders
Aaron Lennon, Andros Townsend, Gareth Bale, Tom Huddlestone, Mousa Dembele, Sandro Cordeiro, Scott Parker, Jake Livermore, Tom Carroll, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Lewis Holtby.

Forwards
Clint Dempsey, Jermain Defoe, Emmanuel Adebayor.

Tottenham’s final two friendlies are a visit to Monaco with Espanyol coming to White Hart Lane on the Saturday before the start of the season.

Saturday, 3rd August

v Monaco KO: 5.30pm

Saturday, 10th August

v Espanyol at White Hart Lane KO:  5.30pm

Spurs XI

Thursday, 18th July

v Kingstonian at Kingsmeadow KO:  7.45pm

According to the manager of Kingstonian, Tottenham will be returning to play a game against his team on Thursday evening, having played there last season. I expect that it will be a team composed mostly of the younger players.